Labuan to soar with Grand Prix of the sea

LABUAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak today expressed support for Labuan’s desire to become an international water sports hub with the organisation of the Powerboat P1 World Cup.

He said the vision, to be realised with the involvement of the Labuan Development Foundation, Labuan Marine Motorsports Malaysia Limited and Yin Fu – Labuan Investment Corporation, would help boost Labuan tourism.

The Powerboat P1 international boat race, dubbed the Labuan Grand Prix of the Sea, is to be held annually for at least five years.

The event, under the auspices of the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the international governing body of powerboating, will make Labuan a popular destination through international media coverage.

“We are fortunate to have the Powerboat P1 which will have Labuan exhibit more comprehensive sea sports activities.

“The Labuan Grand Prix of the Sea will be an annual event, with a jet ski competition scheduled for this year and the Powerboat P1 competition next year.

“I can imagine this Powerboat P1 becoming a major attraction for widespread international media coverage and helping to reinforce the rebranding of Labuan as an island renowned for extreme sports,” he said. — Bernama